Combination warm and cool mist humidifier

Abstract

A humidifier includes a housing with a substantially open top portion. Water can be added to the humidifier by pouring the water into a water reservoir through an open top. The water is pumped from the water reservoir to an upper portion of the humidifier where it is dispersed into the environment by a flow of air. The humidifier may include both an ultrasonic nebulizer and a heater to provide a warm mix of cool mist and hot vapor. Alternatively, a warm mist can be provided by dispersed water from an ultrasonic nebulizer in combination with warm air. The humidifier may also solely provide a cool mist from an ultrasonic element, or the water can be dispersed using a wicking filter.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 229,133, filed Jul. 28, 2009, which is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to humidifying devices, and more specifically to humidifying devices with an open top through which a tank may be filled with water.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Portable humidifying devices, or humidifiers, are used to moisturize the ambient air in a room, most commonly, a single room of a home. Different types of humidifiers are available in both the warm and cool mist varieties. Evaporative humidifiers, or wick humidifiers, utilize a reservoir of water, from which the wick draws moisture, and a fan which forces air through and / or past the wick, thereby picking up moisture as the air is directed through a spout or vent into the room. Ultrasonic humidifiers utilize nebulizers or ultrasonic transducers, a metal diaph...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a way to create a "true warm mist" by combining cool mist and steam. This improves efficiency and output because the steam is not mixed with too much dry air. The mist is spread through a large open top portion of the humidifier while maintaining a high output, which creates a spa-like feel and evenly distributes the mist into the room. A mixing plenum and air flow help to mix the mist more effectively, resulting in a more "true warm mist" before it rises. The humidifier is also designed to be more convenient to use, as it can be filled by simply pouring water into the open top portion.

Problems solved by technology

However, due to the high temperatures of the steam (>100° C.

Such so-called “warm mist” humidifiers do not produce a true warm mist because the steam is mixed with cooling air that is not humidified, reducing both output and efficiency.

To increase output, the steam is superheated, thus further increasing the risk of getting burned.

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